'Sorry to hear it—but what have I to do with all that?'
'Much.'
Lord Fettercairn changed colour.
'You wrote strangely of Shafto?'
'No wonder!' groaned Mr. Kippilaw.
'How?'
'The matter very nearly affects your lordship's dearest interests—the honour of your house and title.'
'The devil!' exclaimed the Peer, starting up, and touched upon his most tender point.
'I have had more than one long conversation with the old nurse, Madelon Galbraith, and therefore instituted certain inquiries, which I should have done before, and have come to the undoubted and legal conclusion that—that——'
'What?' asked Fettercairn, striking the floor with his right heel.